Strong Hold & Industrial Shelving Systems – Pulitzer Arts Foundation Exhibit Shelving
Overview
In Spring 2025, Strong Hold partnered with Industrial Shelving Systems. Together, we provided industrial shelving for the Pulitzer Arts Foundation’s Veronica Ryan: Unruly Objects exhibit. The exhibit showcased four decades of Ryan’s practice, featuring sculptures, textiles, and works on paper.
The Pulitzer Arts Foundation and Industrial Shelving Systems required an innovative solution to display a variety of the artist’s works. Strong Hold was able to work with both organizations to deliver a shelving solution that exceeded the exhibit’s requirements.
Challenge
During planning, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and Industrial Shelving Systems sought display methods that aligned with the themes of Ryan’s work. They aimed for a design that complemented rather than overshadowed the art. The solution needed to be minimal yet deliberate, seamlessly blending with the gallery’s space while enhancing the viewer’s engagement.
To bring the vision to life, Industrial Shelving Systems partnered with Strong Hold. Together, we created a custom shelving solution tailored to the exhibit’s needs.
Solution
The first step in designing the perfect shelving solution for the exhibit was to understand precisely what it required. The installation included smaller objects—some placed on shelves, others suspended. Each needed to remain visible from every angle. To support that, the shelving used an open design that encouraged full engagement from multiple vantage points.
Strong Hold began the project with our Extreme Duty 12 GA Open Shelving Unit with 5 Shelves – 48 In. W x 24 In. D x 72 In. H product. Using it as a basis, we created a custom version for this project that measured 88 inches tall instead of the default 72 inches. A modified flange was included to ensure stability for the added height.
Another crucial design element for the exhibit shelving was the use of color. The team crafted the shelving in a bold yet harmonious color that echoed the exhibit’s visual language without detracting from the art itself. Orange (RAL 2009) was selected as the color for the shelving, ensuring a bold statement that did not otherwise distract the visitor from the pieces it was showcasing.
The result was a harmonious integration of shelving and art, one that enables the artwork to speak for itself and allows visitors to view it from a 360° perspective.
Results
The bold, custom shelves selected offered a solution that seamlessly blended into the exhibit, transforming what you’d typically associate with industrial settings and warehouses into a curated extension of the display. The custom shelving not only provided necessary structural support but also created cohesion with the exhibit without overshadowing it.
By incorporating open shelving, the museum created a full-circle viewing experience, allowing visitors to engage with each piece from every angle, offering unique viewing perspectives.
This project highlights how thoughtful design can turn heavy-duty, industrial shelving into purpose-driven displays. The collaboration between Industrial Shelving Systems and Strong Hold showcases the power of custom solutions to achieve a unique vision.
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